Home
The Chosen
20 December 2007 @ 09:44 am
An Actual Post  

So I never just post anymore.

Yeah, I know.

I only post if I've managed to write something, but that was never really the point of this LJ.  The point was to talk about generally unimportant things that matter a great deal to me.  And it's not like there haven't been a million.  I just haven't posted about them.  I dunno why.  But lately as I've been trying to write again, I've been thinking about a few of them.

So, since they've been on my mind...


The fall really sucked sports-wise for me.  Really really sucked.  My field hockey team won the national title.  This, is the only highlight of a rather shitty season. 

( Goin' Off )


And South isn't back until April.  Hooray for strikes! 


And that, is that.  I feel better.  I still don't know about the USWNT...but I love Heather.  I just can't not.  She's reading to little kids for sobbing out loud...

Tags: , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: annoyed
I'm singing to...: Riot (the Spash Vid mix) - Paramore
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
13 November 2007 @ 02:23 pm
One last time  
We have a new coach - Pia Sundhage

She's Swedish.  She's good.  She's in no real way connected with this god awful team or the selfish, petty, and cowardly girls on it (except that she fucking coached Lilly when she played for the Boston Breakers.)

It's a start.

And it made me wonder about the girl who was once my favorite.

So I find this.  And it reminds me of just why I loved that girl so much to start.  And I had that moment of being so damn proud because she was ours.  And then I remembered why everything I knew was wrong and how much it still sucks.  And then I remembered what it felt like watching what was once the most awesome moment in my sports life - and how nothing turned out like I thought it would at the time.

So it still fucking sucks.  And I'm still torn about the best girl I've ever seen.  And I wish Mia were here...


One last time - I wish we could go back to the moment when Mia came off the field for the last time.  When she pulled Heather into a big hug and told her this team was hers, when she gave her the sacred #9.  (She fucking gave her her number.  Doesn't that mean anything at all?)  Can't we fix this somehow?  Let the next generation, who are perfectly capable and more than ready to lead, lead?

Maybe this coach can manage to finish what Mia started that day.  Maybe we can get our team, our girls back... 


Tags:
 
 
I'm feeling...: sad
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
22 October 2007 @ 03:16 pm
Or why everything I knew is completely wrong...  
I guess I should address an issue that I'd left pretty much alone.  Yes, something besides the fact that I'm not writing at current and don't really have any clue when I'll break through that wall.  It's long and angry and not very well thought out. I've debated and discussed but I've never just said everything I was thinking and I need to and then it can rest.  Maybe it will even hurt less eventually...



 
Tags:
 
 
I'm feeling...: angry
 
3 hits | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
02 October 2007 @ 06:25 am
Yes I realize I haven't written in forever...  
So, I haven't written in like a week.  Actually, I wrote a piece last night, on paper and forgot to bring it in this morning.  But it's written and hopefully I'll get it up tomorrow.  

This is the deal.  I started on a new project which actually requires me to work most of my 9 hours and that's when I did all of my drabbling.   It's rare that I sit down after I get home and write because frankly, I've got other things I'd rather be doing most of the time.  If it turns out that I can't settle into the new project and work myself some free time, yeah I'll start writing at home more because I did promise myself I was going to write every single day and I certainly haven't stuck to that.

Also, as an aside, my foray into semi (read almost completely) rpfs has been pretty much fucking derailed by the bloody mess the USWNT has created for me.  If you know, you know.  If you don't then it doesn't really matter much anyway.  Hope is my home girl.  Greg you are a dick who never should have been the coach of any team, let alone my team.  Lilly, Abby, and the "senior leaders" fucking suck.  And my UNC girls better fucking be on the right side.  Lori, I really kinda heart you right now.  Heather, don't fucking disappoint me.

Anyway, new inspiration I have, and have drabbled on.  Seriously, I'll try to post it tomorrow.

Oh, I have discovered, slightly, the love that is Friday Night Lights.  Mostly meaning that I've watched one episode, fell in love and bought the first season but haven't gotten any further because sports are my life.  And Heroes.  Well, I heart Niki and Claire and Hiro.  Probably half way through season one.  Oh Niki...


And now, a sad little offering.  My way of dealing with frustration and attempting a bit of closure on a painful subject.  My apologies to the subject.  Also, as almost always, I think it's not even so very good and most definitely rough around the edges.  She'll want for editing she will...









 
Tags: ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: amused
I'm singing to...: the silent office
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
27 August 2007 @ 08:25 am
An Actual Post  
Yeah, weird I know.



Oh, Huskers Volleyball is up and running again.  The AVCA Showcase Preseason Tourney was this weekend.  Nebraska ended up playing #5 preseason ranked UCLA.  Won in 4...of course.  We're looking oh so sweet and so not in preseason form.


The USWNT played their last send-off match before World Cup Saturday, beating Finland 4-0.  Heather and Tarp scored.  Abs went out in the 27th minute with a toe injury of some kind on which info is still vague.  World Cup starts Sept 10 and our women play their first match on the 11th.  Games are EARLY.  5 AM early.  We've got a plan...


South is...what it is.  I'm just kinda barreling through these eps ya know.  Pretty well written.  Cohesive timeline and story arcs.  Decent acting.  Gabby looks GORGEOUS.  Spencer and Ashley are still not even in the same frame.  New Girl asked about Spencer which I like because NO ONE does it.  Don't know how I feel about her or the story arc they're setting up for her.  We'll see next week...looks to be a doozy.  Aiden finally told Ash what a loser she is and left her!  Ash has a picture of Spence in her room...beside the picture of her and Aiden.  *rolls eyes*  Brilliant Ash, just brilliant.  Next week I'll at least get interaction in the same room between the two of them...who knows what that means.


Liverpool, after the win this weekend, is in 4th.  Chelsea...shocker...is in first followed by Man City and Wigan (I KNOW.)

And that's pretty much the weekend...
Tags: , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: bored
I'm singing to...: Hold On - KT Tunstall
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
08 June 2007 @ 10:27 am
Random...just random  
So, first off, this is going to be incredibly random.  I'm probably going to hit on at least 7 or 8 topics and who knows how in depth I'll go with any of them.  My schedule is...still very full.  We're going to look at cars this weekend (and quite possibly buy one) so I doubt I'll be home much.  And I've got to go to work and file all the data that just got error corrected and verified.  Hopefully, next week I'll at least have my schedule figured out...


Alrighty, I think I've written more than enough for today...
Tags: , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: bored
I'm singing to...: the ever-changing sounds of Cube World
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
30 May 2007 @ 09:14 am
The Heart of Sports  

So...I had this whole idea of what I was going to post.  I'd even written up a post yesterday when our server here crashed and my auto save didn't work and I lost the entire post.  I thought it was just going to be a simple rewrite for today but, after getting a good way in...it didn't feel right.

I could do a recap of Arizona's softball weekend, but that's not really the point is it?  We won our super regional in 2 games, didn't need the third.  It's exactly what I expected.  Our first game got off to a nightmarish start but ended up being very much U of A ball.  Taryen gave up 5 runs in the top of the first and we lost our best player to injury.  But we rallied in true U of A fashion and won the game 11-6.  The point, I suppose, is that we're headed back to the college world series again.  But what matters here is Caitlin Lowe, what she means to her team, and what she (and players like her) mean to sports.

If you know anything about softball, you probably know who Caitlin Lowe is.  Now a senior for Arizona, Caitlin has been our center fielder for four years.  Over those four years, she has racked up some highly impressive numbers and received numerous honors.  Many would call her one of the best to play the college game.  But it isn't her numbers that matter most, it's her attitude and her love of the game that carry the most weight.  Caitlin is a player very much in the vein of athletic idol - Derek Jeter.  She loves softball.  Every single time she steps out onto the field, she's going to give everything she's got and more if it's required.  She's not afraid to put her body on the line for her team.  She'll scale a wall, go over a fence, lay out on the grass, slide hands first into a base.  Whatever it takes, she's going to do her absolute best to get the win for the U of A (or the US National Team.)  She's never been about her numbers or personal accolades.  She plays for her team and she plays all out.  So it should come as no real surprise then, what happened in the top of the first on Saturday.  We were already down 3-0 and a well hit ball was winging its way toward the back wall.  Caitlin was at full sprint, attempting to make the catch that would keep runs 4 and 5 from scoring.  She had her eye on the ball the whole time, never once looked back to see where she was in relation to the wall.  She slammed into it face first, just missing the ball over the top of her glove.  The resounding thud as she slammed into the wall could be heard so clearly and watching it on TV just hurt.  She crumpled over, bleeding onto her arm and the ground.  She had to be carted off the field, a towel pressed to her bloody face.  She returned to the dugout in the 2nd, two black eyes forming, nose swollen, an extremely pissed expression on her face.  Not because she had just slammed face first into her own center field wall possibly breaking her nose, but because she wanted to come back into the game and was not allowed to.

That is what sports are about.  Don't get me wrong, I love that Caitlin has a .449 career average, 341 hits, 240 runs, and 156 steals.  Those numbers are amazing.  But fuck the numbers.  It's the heart this kid displays on the field that makes the game, the sport worth watching.  She slammed face first into a wall trying to catch a ball and busted her face open, had to be carted off the field.  But she wanted to come back into the game the very next inning because her team needed her and she was pissed as hell that she wasn't allowed to.  She didn't care about the fact that her nose might be broken.  Her team was down 5-0 and she knew she belonged on the field helping them mount a comeback.  It's players like her that make sports more than simply entertainment.  These are the players who play for the love of the game, for the love of their team.  It's not about money, fame, and a big contract.  These guys would still play the game if they never made another cent off it.  And they are what give the game meaning.  When a kid will sacrifice their body in an attempt to make the play that may save the game or win it...that's heart.  It's an intense drive and devotion to something that actually matters to them and that gives the game weight, that makes it something greater.

Oh and there's nothing like the kid saying - "When I watched it on YouTube, I was like, 'God, it could have been just as easy to catch the ball and fall.'"

Tags:
 
 
I'm feeling...: impressed
 
2 hits | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
21 May 2007 @ 08:09 am
Le Weekend  
First off, I was accused last night of not talking as much about soccer as other sports.  Since soccer is my favorite sport, period, I should like to take a moment to speak on this.  


And now, le weekend, which was almost entirely sports-based.  I did get jeans though!  I've been trying to find low-rise jeans that I liked for a while now.  I wanted Tilts...that didn't work out.  I couldn't justify getting Luckys at the $120 a pair price right now though I will get those Lil' Maggies one day.  Still, I was desperate until one of my last two pairs finally ripped from crotch to top of the back pocket AT WORK last week.  They were old and had started to wear obviously but I wasn't expecting that.  But, as it turns out, Kohls sells Levi 518s which are super low rise.  So I bought 3 different washes and these girls look SWEET.  Other than that, we didn't do much this weekend.  Had an AMAZING dinner at Carrabas on Friday.  Their food is simply splended and the dessert, GAH.  The rest of the weekend was spent watching softball regionals which were on ALL WEEKEND.

So, softball...

( Regionals )


Also, the Yanks lost ANOTHER pitcher this weekend.  Rasner got his finger broken and could be out for MONTHS.  So we've called up yet another new starter...I think we're up to 11.  Clippard had a very good start against the Mets though so I'm hopeful again.  Even if we're like 10 games back in the AL East and don't even have a .500 record...

Outside of all that, I'm still working through Bianca's chapter.  I really like about the first page and a half...then it turns into a bit of a rushed mess.  I haven't quite figured out how to fix it yet but I will.  I'm shooting for having it settled by Tuesday so I can start on chapter 3.  Been rereading some of my old BAM favorites for inspiration.

Now, a return to a previous discussion...


EDIT - To finally finally talk about my Euro


And yes, I do realize this is a very long entry... - END EDIT
Tags: , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: contemplative
I'm singing to...: The sounds of silence...well, the sounds of cube world actually
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
19 May 2007 @ 12:45 am
Goals and Musings  
First, the WNBA regular season offically kicks off tomorrow.  My girls (Phoenix Mercury) are taking on the San Antonio Silver Stars @ 7:00 on NBA TV.  I get to see the beauty that is Dino and Cappie working together as the highest scoring tandem in the entire WNBA.  And we were oh so close to the post season last year.  Now that we've firmed up our center position, maybe this will be our year.  Also the defending champion Detroit Shock are playing the Sacramento Monarchs @ 3:30 on ABC.  It's the official season opener.  My UNC girl (Ivory Latta) was drafted by the Shock but I seriously doubt we'll see much of her this season with the talent they already had.  Also, an important note - a great many WNBA games can be viewed either on ESPN2 or NBA TV throughout the season but even more games will be shown on their regional sports channels and it just so happens that Al and I have all those channels...hehehe.  For example, almost every single New York Liberty game is being shown on MSG.  Now you ask, are they any good?  Uh, well they are a fairly young team - 5 rookies actually.  They only have two players with more than 3 years of playing experience.  But will I watch because it's women's professional basketball and it's on TV?  You bet I will.  Also, you have to love the fact that the Shock are continuing the tradition of listing Ivory MUCH taller than she actually is.  She's definitely listed at 5'6" again.  All I have to say to that is "YEAH RIGHT."

Now, for the equally exciting news...at least for me.  I'm going to get my French back.  It's been officially decided.  I made the purchase of audio cds and books.  No time or cash for class right now.  Hopefully sometime in the fairly  near future though.  For now, I'm making with the books, the cds, online aides, reading French news and sports, listening to French news, listening to French music, watching French films...ya know, the usual suspects for a poor girl who desperately misses her language.  I've missed French for ages but now I've got serious inspiration in wanting to know it for my fic.  So I'm going to get it back, even if it kills me.  I'm motivated and actually ready to put in the time required to learn this time around.  I know, I know.  If I'd just worked on it in uni I might not be starting over at the beginning now.  But I can't change the past, I can only improve my future.  So there's that.  And I'm crazy excited about it.

The fic itself...is in stasis until tomorrow.  Tomorrow I will finally revamp Bianca's chapter two and HOPEFULLY start in on chapter three.  I've got myself a girl to email about locating Maggie somewhere nice in Paris fairly near Marais so I'll get on that tomorrow.  Then I can seriously start researching the area and immersing myself in their local.  Once I've got this stuff nailed down, I just have to deal with med school in France and I should be pretty much set for everything that's to come in the fic.  Well, I can't say that because I don't know exactly where we are headed.  I mostly just know what's coming in the next two, maybe three or possibly four chapters.  After that, I'm as lost as anyone else until the girls tell me what they want.  It's all really exciting though.  I'm still very much into it which is a great sign.

Also, I need to get back to working on avatars.  I've been put off a bit since I'm heading into live action.  Seven seasons of Buffy, even if I just look through 5, 6, and 7 is SO MANY screencaps.  Two seasons of VMars.  Two seasons of Popular.  Months of AMC.  Whew.  And I've still got to find many animated caps.  I've got a lot of work ahead of me but I enjoy it. I just have to be in the right mood.  At least I realized I didn't have to do it all in one weekend...

Speaking of the weekend - so many movies are out on DVD finally.  Must see Little Children, Volver, The Last King of Scotland, Notes on a Scandal, The Queen, Children of Men, Pan's Labyrinth, The Fountain, and quite possibly Becket.  It's a lot to get through but since we didn't get to them before the Oscars, I at least want to see them now.  Oh, and Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series is also coming out.  Probably about time I check it out.  The second season of Weeds is coming out soon too.  Yes I know I've neglected my film.  I'm getting back to it.  But I so love my anime...This also reminds me that I never finished "News Wars" on Frontline.  I should do that.

The NCAA Softball regionals are going on right now.  Taryne Mowatt threw a no-hitter for us today in our 9-0 bruising of Howard.  We're playing Miss State tomorrow.  UNC won 4-3.  Texas lost to GTech 2-3.  Tenn won...it was ugly.  So there's that.  Softball on TV tomorrow, no idea what games are being show though.  I can watch the UA game online though so it doesn't really matter about the rest of the field.  Also, the UNC women's lacrosse team is taking on Virgina AGAIN tomorrow for a spot in the Final Four.  Oh and the Yanks are in the first Subway series of the season and we dropped the first game.  Eesh, heavy sports weekend.

But now I'm off to read a bit of fic and then crash because the day and its activities are finally catching up with me.  Oh yeah, I had a massive migraine on our anniversary.  We didn't do much besides lay in bed and watch cartoons.  Still, one of the best evenings ever...
Tags: ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: mellow
I'm singing to...: Tant De Belles Choses - Francoise Hardy
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
07 May 2007 @ 10:08 am
The Weekend  
was pretty good.  

Well, let me amend - everything but the sports part of the weekend was pretty good.  My Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs at home on Saturday 5-4.  I wish Ottawa the best of luck in thrashing the Sabres.  Go Sens!  Tenn played a double-header against 'Bama on Saturday in softball and swept them.  Monica Abbott broke Cat's total strikeout record.  Doesn't matter.  Cat is still, by far, a better pitcher.  BOO Monica, BOO!  Liverpool lost to Fulham...to Fulham!  I mean, it doesn't matter because we'll still finish top 4 no matter what but honestly, Fulham.  A few good things are the UCI won the Men's NCAA volleyball championship 3-1.  Go Anteaters!  Also, the Yanks had a good series against the Mariners and the Rocket is indeed coming home.  So there's that.

Besides the sports, the weekend was fairly uneventful.  No, I did not get to my fics.  Don't ask why.  I don't know why.   I think I'm having trouble deciding how to approach Maggie and Bianca.  I just don't know what to do about Binks.  I'm working on it.  I miss writing.  No, we didn't watch any more Gilgamesh or Gunslinger Girl.  I didn't play MLB 2K7 at all.  I played GTA III.  That's it.  I read some fic.  We watched A LOT of sports.  But...Girltrash!  I do believe I have talked about it on here...maybe.  Angela Robinson is doing these short webisode types with several actresses involved in lesbian film/tv including Gabrielle Christian and Mandy Musgrave.  Just discovered that Amber Benson (squee) is also in it.  Anyway, check the trailer.  We may finally get some decent Gabby/Mandy lip action...it just won't be on South.  Yeah, don't get me started on South.  I've just decided I'm not going to talk about it anymore.  But Girltrash...I can't wait for her to start posting the webisodes.  Just sad that Jordana Brewster had to pull out but hey, getting a network TV spot...I get that.

Um, a few notes.  I miss Heather...yes, already.  I miss Liz.  I've missed Liz forever.  Now Eden's gone and taken the scary Rita character with her.  But my BAM...my poor BAM.  Yes, I'm also annoyed about South.  I can't help it.  I thought it last season and I just feel the circular answers from Tom, Gabby, and Mandy add fuel to the thought that there is pressure from the network to scale back the lesbian content...what little was left by season 2's end.  Eh, that's all I've got though.  I called it last season.  Hell, I called it after watching the season 1 ending kiss.  So now all that's left is to wait and see.  I love the girls though.  They've always been very supportive of the story, and in return, I'll support them in keeping up with their careers.  However, I won't continue to watch the show if they choose to go the route of downplaying (code for erasing) the lesbian content even more than they already have.  I miss Burst Angel.  I want to read the manga.  I want the OVA to be released here.  I want to know if Funimation is considering another series.  I think I'll focus my energy and attention on these sorts of things.  They take up time and keep me occupied.  I don't mind so much not having the PS3 when I've got all these other things to focus on.  Yeah yeah, writing would do that too.  I'm going to sort it.  I am.  I've picked my ship.  Now I just have to determine how in the hell I'm going to fix the mess we've been left with.  I think that will be my plan for the week, get some idea of how to fix this and where it needs to go to accomplish the happy ending I want for these girls.

Oh, and Al and I, we're great.  But then you probably already knew that didn't you?


 
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: excited
I'm singing to...: Je Ne Vous Oublie Pas - Celine Dion
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
04 May 2007 @ 09:59 am
Resource Busy  

Yeah, we're resource busy here for the next half hour or so which means...I can't work!  It's really really sad.  And if we lose this morning's work...mine was SUPER easy.  Every single doc had the same 2 codes.  A few had an extra one but not many.  Long and short - it'd be easy for me to put the codes back in.


If you haven't seen Ciara's "Like a Boy" vid, check it out!  Interesting concept video for sure and girl can dance.  Plus, the meaning behind the song...not to be missed.  Also, if you need a laugh or a pick-me-up, check out Avril's "Girlfriend" vid.  Seriously funny.  Why yes, I did spend my morning watching vids...oh, and Kelly's new vid, lived up to the song.


Work is work.  It's still fine.  I'm listening to OotP which passes the time.  I should finish it up on Monday.  I strongly dislike most of them.  Harry, Ron...well mostly Harry and Ron.  I love Hermione.  I have no reason to dislike Ginny yet.  Neville's the cutest fella.  Gred and Forge...you have to adore them.  Uh, I've never been a huge Sirius fan.  Can't say I'm devastated that he's not around.  Lupin is my wolfy buddy.  Yeah.  OotP was such a better story than HBP.  God it SUCKS.  It's like reading bad fanfic when compared to those that came before it.  Way too much info crammed in.  No really details in most cases and mountains of them in a few.  Rushed as hell.  It was obvious that she wanted to get to book 7.  Bah.

Leaving at noon today!  Going home to clean.  Dinner tonight at Elmo's.  Turkey burger!  Don't have big weekend plans.  I'll be watching the Rangers v Sabres and probably some Yanks ball.  Soccer on Saturday as usual.  It'll be sports for the weekend I'd assume.  We HAVE to finish the two disks we've got of Gilgamesh.  Maybe watch some more Gunslinger Girl.  Maybe I'll play a full game of MBL 2K7 before it's due back.  Definitely read more fanfic.  I PLAN to try and write at least the opening chapter to a new fic.  Maybe take a look at my Spashley fic.  It's not happy, might never be.  Maybe that's good.  Yeah, maybe that's good...


But now it's over, it's over, why is it over?
We had the chance to make it.
Now it's over, it's over, it can't be over.
I wish that I could take it back.
But it's over.

We could be forever...

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: cynical
I'm singing to...: It's Not Over - Secondhand Serenade
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
26 April 2007 @ 10:26 am
So...  
I'm through training FINALLY.  Today I got to start my normal 6 - 2 schedule with coding.  Yeah, I code documents for 8 hours.  It's really exciting.  I'm probably going to get reviewed for at least a few weeks I'd guess.  My first check today went well.  Glad to hear that I actually do understand the codes a bit better than I thought.  It helps that we don't have to be complete, just hit the major points.  So...it's a job.  I don't love it.  I don't hate it.  It pays okay.  The benefits are great.  I don't have to deal with people that often.  The work environment itself is pretty good.  I eat lunch with Al everyday.  That's nice.  So there's that.  I'm hoping I'll be able to install Rhapsody on my computer once I get my own login.  We'll see.  Hopefully I'll get that early next week...and my id badge that lets me into the building.  Until then, I'm on Launch Player and it keeps crapping out because of the heavy resource use on the network.

I should be getting into my evening YM setup SOON.  Now that I'm on my set schedule, I should be able to get online.  We *looks pointedly at Bum* need to figure out when is a good time for us to try and chat.

Of personal interest - I will most certainly go see OotP.  I'm even somewhat excited about it now.  Mostly because Emma looks too pretty for words.  Seriously, she's just lovely in the new photos and trailer.  Yeah I know she's 16.  She's a Brit.  What's your point?  Since I will be going to see Order, I've decided I must reread it now.  I'll be reading my lovely UK Children's Edition because, frankly, it's cooler than the US edtion.  Yeah I got the Children's Edition...the cover art is nicer.  So I've got to fit that monster in before July 13.  I think I can manage that.  Maybe I'm even a wee bit excited about it.  Oh yeah, DH comes out on July 21 so I'll then crash through it.  Better be a far sight better than HBP or the whole series will be ruined for me.  So that'll be a midnight showing of OotP and a midnight release party for DH that Al and I will be attending in July.  Should be entertaining. 

Um, update on Burst Angel - finally finished the series and I must say, Jo and Meg seem so close to canon for me.  The last couple of episodes focus on their relationship pretty heavily and it's OBVIOUS that Meg cares so much for Jo.  She talked about them going away and living a happy, peaceful life together...just the two of them.  Oh yeah, she totally meant just as good friends.  And Jo, when she wouldn't let Meg come with her on the suicide mission.  Damn.  The actual end was a bit anti-climatic and set me up for another series that I just don't know if I'll get.  The OVA did have a trailer for what COULD be the next series but it could also just be a lame ass teaser.  Still, it was pretty wicked awesome girl action anime.  I'm so thrilled I found it.  Now we've started on Gunslinger Girl.  Just two eps in but it's quite the intrigue.  

Uh, the Rangers got CRUSHED by the Sabres last night, 5 - 2.  It was ugly.  Three goals in the span of like 5 minutes in the 2nd period.  Maybe Friday will be better.  I didn't think we'd win last night...but I also didn't think Lundqvist would give up 5 goals.  We'll see what happens on Friday.  At least we'll get to go home for the 3rd and 4th games.  We may really need that advantage if we get knocked up again on Friday.

I think that's all.  I don't want to talk about Bianca, or AMC, or BAM until after I've read the recap for today's show.  It's Eden's last one and I want to actually know FOR SURE how they send her off before I even consider discussing it.  I'm sure I'll edit with a rant later this afternoon.  Until then, I'll enjoy the "Resource Busy" free time I've got here at work.  Gotta love the system crashing and still having inet!

EDIT - So here are my couple of comments on Eden's last AMC show.

1.  It's over!

2.  Maggie and Bianca can now live in the safety of my head and the heads of others who love them and will take care of them.

3.  Her exit was very anti-climatic.  Miranda showed up, she said au revoir, and Zoe, Erica, Miranda, and Bianca walked off together.  That was it.  And no, they didn't send Zoe and Bianca out in a coupley way.

4.  Eden was wearing oh so "thud worthy" jeans today.  It's terribly sad that she grew more and more lovely the closer to her exit it got.

5.  Fanfic...here I come!  - END EDIT

EDIT PART DEUX - Ooo!  I now have like...10 or so more avies than I did a couple of hours ago.  Finally got my sports avs up...  - END EDIT
Tags: , , , , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: good
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
15 April 2007 @ 01:33 am
It's Late...  
or early...depending on your definition.  Yeah I know, it isn't really THAT late.  Hell, it's not even late for me.  For a weekend, this is still early.  I'll probably be up until at least 3, who knows.  Of course I'll probably sleep until noon.  Isn't that the point of weekends?

So what brings me to my LJ at 1:36 you ask?  Well, you probably don't ask.  You didn't even know what time it was did you?  Well, now you do.  Honestly, I'm sure at some point my plan was to be philosophical but I'm past that.  My head aches, my back is cramping up, the excedrin and the beer are having a weird reaction I think.  I know that like two hours ago I wanted to talk about Garden State and the definition of home and finding true love.  I'm not sure I have that in me now.  After reading some fic, watching a couple eps of Gilgamesh, and taking a shower, my brain has moved on to other things.  What those other things are exactly...I don't know.

I think maybe I want to be a cop.  Yeah, it's an odd thing for me to say.  I want to do something to help people.  I want to make the world a better place.  It's not the first time I've considered it.  I'm sure it  won't be the last.  Honestly, the only thing stopping me right now is the fucking odd hours.  Working nights, weekends, holidays.  Not having a set schedule.  I like going to bed with my girl.   Okay so yeah, I'm not in bed with her right now...but I'm here.  I can see her.  And someday, if we have kids, I want to be here to tuck them in at night, to read them stories.  I'll think about it.  Obviously, it's not something to do without forethought.  I could totally see myself being a cop though.  I dunno.  There are numerous moral issues to consider here.  But I never wanted to be a person that wrote law.  Yeah, that was a thought from a whole other conversation that just occurred in my head.  Wasn't putting it all up here.  I guess, the gist, some laws that I'd have to enforce I might not agree with.  But the chance to do some real good...and the fact that I honestly believe I could...it's saying something.  Still, strange.

Or PT.  Yeah, not even remotely similar.  I know.  I don't really want to go back to school and I'd have to.  And I'd just want to work with kids.  I dunno.  I keep saying that.  More than anything, I want to help people in some real way.  I keep saying I think I could have a job that just made money and that'd be okay...but that's bullshit.  I wouldn't be okay.  I've always wanted my job to matter, to make a difference in the world.  I always will.  If I could afford not to work and just to volunteer at like rape crisis centers and homeless shelters and what not, I would.  I can't afford to do that so I want my job to be one that helps people.  I don't want to be a doctor.  Never have.  I don't want to be a lawyer...just not really my thing.  Firefighter...can't really see that.  Teacher...NO.  Jesus, if I didn't have my girl, I'd probably be in Nigeria with the Peace Corps or something.  I seriously considered it during University.  I know, I'll figure this out.  I'm not stressed about it, just thinking on the page.  Right now, I'm just hoping I get that damn phone call telling me I got the job at Womble.  Otherwise, I'm going to feel like a fucking loser.  And I'm going to be in a bit of a bind job-wise.

Oh, Friday's AMC.  Bianca talked to Josh about Zoe.  She was all about not quitting just because things got hard, not giving up and walking away because things were difficult.  Well, that's interesting considering it's exactly what she did with Maggie.  Methinks the lady doth protest too much...Really, I don't know what to think about Bianca anymore.  I don't know if she's even going to consider Maggie when she goes to Paris.  I have NO IDEA.  I've already decided to move back into fanfic.  It's happy there.  I know the Bianca in my fanfic.  I like her.  Once Eden leaves, I'll love Bianca again.  And maybe, I'll have some hope that the AMC Bianca will end up with Maggie again eventually...who knows.

Now, I think I'm going to listen to some music or watch some old BAM scenes or read some more fic.  I dunno.  I'm not sleepy yet but my brain isn't functioning at it's highest level.  I leave you with this slightly funny image/idea from my brain about the current state of Bianca...

- I want to hit her in the head with a brick, stuff her in a garbage bag, and leave her outside Maggie's front door with a note that says "Caution, damaged goods...but she promises not to give up even if things get hard."

EDIT - Right, so I just remembered that our US Women's National Team...dear god that's a lot to type...played Mexico today.  Why I never fucking know these things is beyond me.  Really it is.  I LOVE soccer.  I ADORE it.  It's my favorite sport by far.  I love our girls.  I love my girls even more.  So why do I never know when the national team is playing?  I need to make a schedule...calendar...something.  Anyway, we crushed Mexico.  Crushed.  5-0.  Coach Ryan is trying to figure out who to take to World Cup.  I get this.  I understand why he's playing different line-ups and bringing in new girls.  But for fucks sake, why isn't Heather starting?  She's Heather.  He's loved Heather.  He's always brought her.  She's started a lot.  Abby loves her, can't say enough about her.  Abby always starts if she's there.  Why the fuck has he moved Tarp up top?  She doesn't have Heather's speed or Heather's feet.  She doesn't play as well with Abby.  I love Tarp, don't get me wrong.  She's one of my girls.  But Heather IS my girl.  Hell, she's THE girl.  And who the fuck are these new kids?  Where'd they come from?  Why are they here? What was so wrong with our line-up before?  Bah.  No Kai Kai?!  Are you serious?  I'm SO ready for World Cup.  I want a settled roster.  I want to know who's going to be there.  Seriously.  Better fucking be Heather... - END EDIT
Tags: ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: indescribable
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
04 April 2007 @ 07:36 am
Well...  
Tenn won the NCAA Women's Bball Championship.  Yeah, that's really about all I have to say.


In other intriguing collegiate women's bball news - Gail Goestenkors is leaving Duke after 15 seasons to become the new head coach at Texas.  Shocked?  Not even the smallest bit.  In 15 years Gail has done everything BUT win a national championship.  It's almost like a curse.  Moving to Texas, I believe, gives her the opportunity to do that finally, without the pressure of Duke, without the pressure of the ACC.  To be honest, she hasn't seemed that happy the past couple of seasons so I'm guessing this decision was a fairly easy one for her.

While the Texas job has been filled, there are MANY elite coaching positions still open in the women's game...Duke now being one of them.  LSU is another obvious one.  See, the basketball season doesn't ever really end...

( Hockey! )

Uhhh...I'm sure there are other things going on in my life but I've forgotten them.  Sports have completely clouded my brain.  And this entry...took me FOREVER to write.  I guess I should probably do some work now...Sad.

EDIT - Since this post has been entirely about sports...the Major League Baseball season officially kicked off Sunday night but I have yet to weigh in.  The Yankees played on Monday against Tampa Bay and came back to win 9-5.  Pavano's first start for us in...a very long time, was...okay. He pitched 4.1 innings, giving up 6 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), and 1 home run.  He had 2 walks and 2 strike outs.  Certainly not a great performance but it will take some time for him to get back in regular season form.  I'm reserved but hopeful.  Jeter went 1-4.  A-Rod went 2-5.  Abreu went 2-5.  Matsui went 0-3.  We won.  That's what really matters.  Performance will improve as everyone gets back into the swing of the regular season.  Pitching is still a concern, especially with Chien-Ming Wang on the DL.   But Pettitte is back in pinstripes and that alone is reason to celebrate.  He's starting today against Tampa Bay so we'll see.  I'm interested to see how Moose looks and, of course, to see how Igawa fares.  The next couple of weeks will go a long way to either assuaging my fears about our pitching staff, or terrify me beyond belief.  We'll find out which...

In soccer news, Liverpool is 3rd on the EPL table after this weekends matches.  Routing Arsenal 4-1 bumped us back ahead of them by 2 points.  No one is catching Chelsea in 2nd and I SERIOUSLY doubt Chelsea is catching Man U in 1st.  Chamions League play continues and while we crushed PSV 3-0, defender Fabio Aurelio ruptured his Achilles tendon during the match.  Ouch.  Yeah, so he's going to be out for AGES.  It's a blow.  Advance in Champions League, loose a defender.  At least we're still alive in Champions League play thought... - END EDIT
Tags:
 
 
I'm feeling...: dorky
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
02 April 2007 @ 06:55 am
The only good thing...  
about today is that the BAM board is back up.

So...confirmation that Eden is actually leaving...on April 26...the same day as Jeffrey.  Yes, it came from her.  She's ready to go home to LA.  Said she wouldn't turn down a return offer.  Said PARIS is just a plane flight away...well isn't that interesting?  I have NO IDEA what that means...and I DON'T want to get my hopes up...but maybe...

Also, another women's collegiate basketball season has come and gone for me.  Yes, our season ended last night...just like last year.  Tossed in the Final Four game.  So what is there to say?  A few numbers for you...


One last word about basketball:  Go Rutgers!  If we can graduate Candice Parker without a title...I'll be thrilled.

Finally, the weekend...sports filled.  Soccer, in which Liverpool thumped Arsenal 4-1 and retook third place in the EPL.  The Rangers are still in 6th in the East with only 6 games left before playoffs.  Opening night was...eh.  The Yanks are playing at 1 today...Carl is starting.

I bought like 8 fantasy novels.  I'm so excited!  My new BAM fic renewed my love of the fantasy genre...well, it more reminded me how much I love it and missed it.  Thus, I purchased my books.  George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Kate Elliott, Greg Keyes, Robert Jordan (yes, I'm trying again), Mercedes Lackey (I know, I know...), J. V. Jones, and Lian Hearn.  Squee!

Now I'm off to catch up on updating BAM fic since the board is back...and then...work.

EDIT - So I was right, I didn't get the job at Davis.  Internal hire.  And my mom with the guilt trips.  "Taking care of your grandmother is exhausting, taxing, painful, hard.  We could use your help to clean some and to take care of her so we can get away.  She keeps asking about you."  Le sigh.  _END EDIT
Tags: ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: blah
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
28 March 2007 @ 09:34 am
So...the good  
Our girls are headed to Cleveland baby!  It wasn't a beautiful game the whole way through, but it was our game for long enough.  We beat Purdue by 12.   We were in control for most of the second half.  Came out, played our ball.  I was pretty proud.  I think we'll be ready for Tenn on Sunday.

So the Final Four is set.  Rutgers v LSU.  UNC v Tenn.  My thoughts:  I'd love to see a Sylvia Fowles/Candice Parker matchup in the final.  I'd love it, but not at our expense.  I honestly think the Rutgers v LSU game will be AMAZING.  Both teams are playing incredible ball right now.  It will really be a battle of wills in the end I believe.  I'd give a slight edge to LSU...slight.  We'll see Sunday at 7.  As to our game with Tenn.  We played them VERY EARLY this season.  We won.  They're a very different team now, more complete more cohesive.  So are we.  We're playing with more intensity.  We're getting EVERYONE involved.  Even if Ivory isn't having a terrific night, Erlana or LaToya or Jess or Camille or SOMEBODY steps up to fill the void.  We're complete.  Tenn is a bigger team to be sure.  They've got us beat on size.  Candice Parker is 6'5" for sobbing out loud.  Our tallest kid...ya know...I actually just had the good sense to look at our respective rosters and this is what I've discovered.

Candice Parker and Nicky Anosike are listed at 6'4", Sid Spencer and Alex Fuller are listed at 6'3."  That's their height.  For us:  Toya, Jess, and Iman are listed at 6'3", Camille is listed at 6'2", and Erlana is listed at 6'1".

They really don't have that much height on us.  HA.  I  mean yeah, our PGs are short as hell.  NO WAY is Ivory 5'6"...she might be 5'3".  Still, they don't really have a HUGE size advantage and our big is more athletic, more agile, and more creative than theirs.  No, I am not comparing Erlana to Candice...I'm comparing her to Anosike.  I'm not stupid.

So what does this mean?  It means we can win against Tenn on Sunday.  If we play our ball, if we force turnovers, if we fight for rebounds, if we make smart passes, if we push the tempo...I honestly believe we'll be headed to our first national championship game since 1994 (when we won by the way.)  Can we lose this game?  Absolutely.  If we don't press, if we don't get on the boards, if we don't take care of the ball...if we keep losing Bobbit in the screens and don't stand up when Candice Parker makes those horribly telegraphed charges at the basket.  But, bottom line, we can win this game.  I'm not even thinking past Sunday right now though.  You can NEVER overlook Tenn.  They are the pinnacle of achievement in women's collegiate ball.  Every single ounce of focus has to be on them.  So we prepare prepare prepare.  And then we go and execute.  We've done it before...we can do it again.

Now...back into the world of work...

Ooo!  One final thing.  I found the most awesome BAM fic yesterday.  An AU set in medieval times where Mags actually gets to be the knight she always acted for Binks!
Tags:
 
 
I'm feeling...: chipper
I'm singing to...: The Little Things - Colbie Caillat
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
26 March 2007 @ 07:10 am
I'm Back!  
Okay so I'm back...finally and truly.  After like what...over a week off.   I dunno.  It's been awhile.  But I'm feeling WORLDS better and my mood theme is FINALLY done.  Now I guess I have to get back to my story...dear god.  Spencer and Ashley may never speak to me again.  Maybe I'll just work on some new avatars.  I need some bball, soccer, volleyball, and softball ones anyway.  Okay...mostly soccer but...

Ummm, my weekend: my mood theme and sports.  Seriously.  That was it.  I spent like all day Saturday and Sunday sitting on the bed with Al.  She was playing her new PSP game or working on Sudoku puzzles and I was either rereading this huge-ass (but incredible) BAM fic, watching basketball (for the most part,) or working on my mood theme.


Now...work.  I'm going to email Selden today just to check in about the job.  I seriously doubt I'll get it because the other candidate was an internal interview.  Still, I guess it was worth it.  It was experience and everyone liked me.  Got to start the search process again.  I need something and soon.  Money's running out in May.  Bah.

Ooo.  I also owe shirts.  Like a million shirts.  Ya know how it is.  I have my teams.  I love them.  I promise to buy shirts if they win titles.  I've got a serious backlog going on here.  I need a Nebraska 2006 National Championship Volleyball shirt, an Arizona 2006 National Championship Softball shirt, a UNC 2006 National Championship Soccer shirt, and an Ole Miss t-shirt (a promise I made when they bumped Maryland) but I'll wait and see how far in the tourney they get before buying one.  Who knows, I could be buying a National Championship shirt...though I hope it's Carolina blue...


Okay okay, I'm actually going to work now. Bah.  I'm sure this week will present me with a TON of things to talk about since the blossoming romance between Binks and Zoe is supposed to really kick off and bball is rocking and playoffs are approaching and the world, in general, sucks.

Anyway, I'm SO glad to be back.  I've kinda missed my lj...

Tags: , ,
 
 
I'm feeling...: content
I'm singing to...: I'm Not That Girl (from Wicked..Idina Menzel rocks my socks)
 
1 hit | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
26 February 2007 @ 07:14 am
Mix It Up  
So my weekend was...packed.   We did Lacrosse Friday night, cleaning like ALL DAY Saturday, and Basketball and the Oscars yesterday.

Just let me say first, our women's lacrosse team kicks ass!  We play in shorts (I don't know how I feel about this but whatev.)  We're ranked #1 in the Inside Lacrosse poll.  We look fuckin' awesome!  It's still not soccer.  Nothing will ever replace our women's soccer team in my heart but it is a lot of fun.

Also, I've determined that I need new icons.  Yeah.  I've got lots of fandoms in lots of different arenas but I don't have icons for them.  Say I'm talking about soccer...or basketball...or lacrosse...or Harry Potter (which may start showing up more)...or BAM (my new canon ship...I'll get to it in a bit?)  Seriously, I need to make myself more avatars.  It's going on this huge list of things I need to do.

Also, it's officially begun.  I've started on the journey of full length fan fic.  I posted my South fic intro.  I say South fic because I honestly don't know if it will be Spashley centric or not.  For me, I can't imagine a world, show-wise, in which Spencer and Ashley don't work out.  Mostly I just don't want to.  However, in my world, I'm not sure they will.  They don't start out together and I don't know that they'll end up together.  Right now I'm working on my first chapter and it's certainly not a happy, cheery one.  I guess we'll just see where she goes.

( So...BAM )



And now...it's Monday.  I hate Mondays but at least this Monday means that my boss will be gone for the rest of the week. YES!  She's got training in Kansas City tomorrow through Friday so Christa and I will be on our own.  The week may not be so bad.

The BAM board is down...which makes me sad because I finally found an awesome fic that I was completely enjoying and now I can't read anymore of it.  How can you exceed bandwidth on a fucking board?  ARGH.

Today...I don't know.  I'm still finishing up those damn assessment packets.  Otherwise...probably more BAM clips for me.  I'm addicted.  Hey...there are way more than Spashley clips and, to be frank, South isn't exactly inspiring right now. 

OH!  We officially got renewed though!  Sixteen new eps hopefully starting in August but by Sept for sure.  I miss my good Spash.  I want them back.
Tags: , , ,
 
4 hits | Hit me up
 
The Chosen
19 February 2007 @ 02:47 pm
The Weekend  
My weekend was full.

Friday our women's bball team played NC State in Raleigh...and lost.  Lost to an UNRANKED team.  We shot like 23% in the first half.  It was awful...again.  The second half was better but it just took too long for us to catch up and we still didn't play with heart, with speed, with desire.

Saturday was my first experience with LIVE collegiate women's lacrosse.  Our ladys were preseason 3 or 4 depending on the poll and A LOT of people are saying this could be their year to win a National Title.  Well, we played Northwestern who was preseason 1.  The game started slowly for us, falling behind by 4.  However, we caught up and after two overtime periods we managed to pull out a 9-8 victory!  It was incredibly exciting.  I'm looking forward to going to more matches this season.  It wasn't soccer but it was pretty damn entertaining.

Sunday, Duke and Maryland's women's bball teams battled it out at the ComCast center.  Last time in Cameron, Duke crushed Maryland.  This time, the game was closer but still not very close.  Duke looked pretty awesome, just too good for Maryland who didn't play a bad game.  Lindsay Harding had a blowout game with...29 points I think.  It was nuts.  So Duke is still the only undefeated team in the nation.  Our girls have their final home game on Thursday and then go to Cameron for the final game of the season looking for some revenge after our crushing defeat to Duke at home.

So my weekend was sports filled. 

I also wrote a two page introdution for a new fic...that I may or may not actually work on.  I'm still trying to decide if I've got enough to really delve into it.  I kinda like my intro which is unusual at best since I normally hate my writing and spend hours revising a few paragraphs.

Al and I are also considering satellite radio.  Yeah I know, paying for radio makes no sense.  Still, Sirius broadcasts Barclay's, UEFA, the NFL, the NHL, the CFL, Wimbledon, a ton of college games, the NLL, and Arena Football.  That is A TON of sports and we're sports junkies.  Even though we are getting Center Ice next year (because I LOVE hockey) we won't always be around for games.  Plus, commercial free music...hard to beat.  I dunno, we'll see what we decide about it.

Finally, I took the day off today.  I'm getting over my cold and I didn't want to risk a replapse by going in today and being there fore like...eleven hours.  I slept until 12:30.  I haven't done that in ages.  I feel great now.  Somehow, the week looks less grim.  I really want to hear about the Davis job...seriously.

EDIT - Well, I just looked at the applications page and the Davis job no longer says open.  It doesn't say filled yet but I assume this means they've decided on a candidate.  So I guess I'll hear something one way or the other pretty soon.  - END EDIT
Tags:
 
Hit me up
 
The Chosen
09 February 2007 @ 06:42 am
Heather! and everything else...  
I saw Heather!

That is the ONLY good thing about last nights game against Duke.

Heather O'Reilly (and half our National Championship Women's Soccer team) was at the #1 Duke v #2 UNC women's basketball game last night. I caught sight of her at half time...thank god. Something to focus on during the abysmal second half our girls played.

Of course, that is not to say that the first half was good. It was quite bad. We were losing by five at the half. We should have been losing by 15. But the second half...worst shit I have ever seen us play. We weren't rebounding. We completely forgot what defense is let alone how to play it. We weren't hustling...at all. Speed is our game and we didn't even consider it. Our passes, for the most part, were just dumb. We didn't force turnovers or steal the ball. And our shooting percentage...well, here are some numbers for you:

For the game we shot 18-66 ending with a FG% of 27.3.
For the game we shot 2-19 ending with a 3-point FG% of 10.5.
For the game we shot 15-26 ending with a FT% of 57.7.
For the game, Ivory was 3-20 (0-11 from 3-point land.)

You just aren't going to win games with shooting percentages that poor. Bottom line: we gave up on the game with like...5 minutes left. I've never seen our girls look so defeated. Duke played well but we played so horribly that who knows what could've happened if we'd tried just a little harder. Hopefully last night was a learning experience for us. An embarrassing nightmare that we'll NEVER want to relive. We've got another shot at them come seasons end at Cameron. Let's just hope we've gotten our shit together by then...
Tags:
 
Hit me up